1940s water main replaced in Geneva

Replacing a water main dating to the 1940s is temporarily affecting traffic and residents along Route 31 on the northern edge of Geneva.

Crews on Monday began replacing a four-inch main with a 10-inch main along a half-mile stretch of road between North Street and the city's northern border. One lane of traffic in each direction is expected to remain open, though flaggers will direct drivers as needed. Traffic will be stopped intermittently as construction equipment moves around.

A $507,000 contract for site work was awarded to Cary-based Bolder Contractors, Inc., said C. Elton Orozco, Geneva's civil engineer. Designing and engineering were additional costs, he said.

Installing the new main along the eastern edge of Wheeler Park is expected to take about three weeks. Connecting the new main to homes along the east side of Route 31, also called First Street, should take another three weeks.

Residents say the project should produce benefits.

"This needs to be done," said Anne Roush, who lives in the 700 block of First Street. "We accept there's going to be an inconvenience. I just hope it's not too severe."

The city said the main is being replaced because of its age and limited size, and that the new main will offer improved fire protection service.

The contractor will notify residents when their water service will be switched over to the new main, the city said in a release. Water service should be disrupted to each residence for about 30 minutes, with the new connections made between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays.

About two dozen homes on the east side of First Street will be affected. Homes located between North and Steven streets will continue to be served by an existing water main.

Crews will have to dig up some driveways to access water shut-off valves, and those driveways will be repaired, the city said. Residents are encouraged to remove landscaping from around their water valves, andare advised that invisible dog fences and sprinkler systems could be affected.

Wheeler Park will remain open. Parkway restoration will begin this fall and be completed in March.